John

Sean: Thanks you so much. Glad to be here.

John: Tells us a little bit about your background in music and when you knew you wanted to be a musician?

Sean: A lot of it started in the church probably when I was around 12 or 13 years old. I have an EPK out right now that tells the story pretty well. I was a shy kid. I wasn’t singing for anybody. They always tried to get me to sing in the choir and I said that’s not gonna happen.

My breaking point was after service with my friend’s brother Doug. We were in the church and he wanted me to hear this song. So he plays “Amazing Grace” and he’s trying to get me to sing the song. And I was not going to do it because I was shy even though there wasn’t anybody else in the church at that time. So he prayed for me and it was like a spritiual breakthrough. It just hit me physically and he said “Now I want you to sing”. And he got to playing “Amazing Grace” and it was like a big wall was torn down that very moment. I just broke into tears as I started singing and after that I was like “Wow”. And from that moment on I just kept singing. And every Sunday I asked the Pastor if I could sing. And every Sunday night I would sing to the cassettes and soundtracks they had.

That’s pretty much where it started. I just wanted to sing and touch the heart of God. I still do. So I would sing as much as I possibly could until God saw fit to use me in the fasion that he’s using me today.

John: Your lastest song and video called “Walls” is now out. Tell us about the song and what motivated you to write it.

Sean: The song “Walls” is a power rock ballad about warnings against suicide. I was inspired to write it when I was working overseas in Iraq. I spend a good amount of time over in that part of the world working with the government as a civilian contractor. I was in my room one day and God blessed me with this riff on my guitar and I started writing. And I started hearing all these reports about suicides that were taking place overseas and hearing about soldiers who were committing suicide. And that inspired the lyrics for “Walls”. That was 5 or 6 years ago in a little 12 X 12 trailer. I wrote it in about 5 or 10 minutes.

A couple of days later I’m sitting at my computer and God spoke to me right there in my office and said “Sean open up Microsoft word and I’m gonna give you the script”. And I got on there and God gave me the whole script for the music video. I wrote it in about 10 minutes right there on the spot. And the next thing you know we’ve go this powerful song “Walls”.

And God blessed me with the opportunity to work with Dave and Josh Moody from Lamon records. They produced and made this music video happen. The video tells a story about a man giving his life for his woman so she can live. And then you can watch this woman go through a lifetime of memories. And all the true joy and happiness that she had is stripped away by a tragic event. I won’t give away the ending but the listeners will see a message of hope at the end in spite of what has transpired.

John: It almost sounds like the story of Job.

Sean: It’s interesting you say that. I never thought about it in that fashion but it really is true. The word of God said God gives but God also takes away. While God desires to bless us and not curse us, Satan always comes around and tries to find ways to accuse you and find fault within the brethen. So when everything is taken away you have a choice. Do you go and continue to serve God or do you just give up and give into the lies. Suicide is nothing but a false vision bringing forth lies.

God’s word says God came to give life and give it more abundantly. The message we’re trying to convey in this video is a message of hope in a way people can understand and relate towards real life tragic events that do happen. And we can’t always explain why certain things happen. But the way to go about it is not to blame God and accuse Him because God loves us. So you just never know why certain things happen.

Regardless of your situation, Jesus loves you so much. You’re the apple of his eye. He doesn’t want to lose you. He wants to bless you. And in this music video you see that. He never leaves us but we push him out of the way by the decisions that we make. He is our life, He is our our way, He is our truth. And He is our love.

John: Now in the video you star in it along with a mutual friend of ours Jenn Gotzon (“God’s Country”, “Doonby”, “Alone yet not alone”). What was it like making the video?

Sean: That was the very first music video that I’ve ever done on that scale. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced. Jenn Gotzon is one of the most amazing actresses and woman of God that I have ever met. Her heart and passion for Jesus to move in the entertainment industry is like none I’ve ever seen. She had such an impact on people that were there. It was a life changing moment. I had an idea and a vision of what we wanted to do in this music video and the skill set that Jesus has blessed her with to play this particular role took it from like level 8 to level 25. She helped catapult it to a whole new area for the better.

The Spirit overall was incredible. We saw miracles on the set, It took us two full days of 12 hour shooting just to complete it. Jenn has a great heart and just a genuine person and I hope to have the opportunity to work with her again. I also had the opportunity to meet her husband Chris Armstrong, an amazing man of God who is doing great things (Chris directed the movie ‘God’s Country” which Jenn starrred in).

So yeah the music video was incredible and we believe it’s gonna affect lives all over the world for the better. I’ve had emails from people saying they had struggled with suicide or deep depression and some of the things they have said has been so encouraging.

John: This sounds like just the beginning for you. What are your future plans and goals?

Sean: Our main thing is we’re going to be doing these big promotional tours and looking to campaign with different organizations about warnings against suicide. We’ve had events at schools and colleges and speaking to students and giving them a message of hope. The next things then would be to get into the studio and record a full album.

John: Sean. thank you for your time. We will continue to pray for you and your ministry.

Sean: I appreciate that. It was a pleasure to talk with you. Thank you very much.

Check out the “Walls” music video on YouTube. You can purchase the song on iTunes.

Follow Sean Guerrero on Facebook.

Country music has an emerging young star and her name is Kimberly Patrick. She has a natural and beautiful singing voice and her music reflects the life of small town USA where she was raised. Her Christian faith forms the basis for who she is as a person and a performer. Kimberly has recently released a new CD on Lamon records titled “A Simple Life”. Recently I had the opportunity to interview her about the CD, her music, and her faith.

John: This is your first full length CD. Tell us about the CD and what it was like making it.

Kimberly: Yeah, it’s my first full length CD. It was a lot of fun. We got to be in the studio as the musicians were laying down their tracks. So we got to see what kind of feel we wanted to give the songs and then I would do my vocals. So it was fun to be part of the process of putting everything to the words. It was my first time of getting to see the whole process.

John: You wrote all of the songs on the CD?

Kimberly: Yes I wrote them all. Just me and my guitar.

John: Very impressive. How much of your own life experiences do you put into your songs?

Kimberly: A lot of them come from my own experiences personally or situations I’ve seen with family or friends or just watching other people. I just kind of get an idea from certain things and just run with it.

John: The title cut on the CD is called “Simple Life”. Tell us about that song.

Kimberly: “Simple Life” is a song I wrote about where I come from: Lampe, Missouri. It’s about small town life. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to it.

John: I just love small towns. And that songs reminds me of that when listening to it. Tell us about Lampe, Missouri.

Kimberly: Lampe is a very small town; pretty much if you blink you’ve already past it. I think I’m related to everyone here. Everyone knows everyone. It’s tiny but I love it. We’re about 35-40 minutes out of Branson.

John: When did you know you wanted to be a singer?

Kimberly: Ever since I can remember. When I was three years old I started singing – I could barely talk. When I was five years old I was in my yard playing and I was singing “Blue” by Leanne Rimes and that’s when my parents really noticed that I could sing.

John: Who were some of your musical influences or your favorite artists?

Kimberly: My favorite of all time would be George Strait. I love his music. His voice sounds natural. I grew up listening to Leanne Rimes so I sing a lot of her songs. Newer artists – I love Miranda Lambert, love all of her stuff. Kacey Musgraves, she’s a new artist. She has a simple acoustical type sound that’s really pretty. Country is definitely what I go for. But I like some pop. I like Demi Lovato. I love her voice.

John: Of all the songs on the CD, which one is your favorite?

Kimberly: That’s a good question. I really like “Simple Life” because it’s what I’ve lived and been around. There’s a song I wrote for my mom on there called “Words my mama said”. I like that one ’cause it’s all true. It’s been my life with my Mom. So it’s hard to pick just one.

John: In your opinion what makes your music unique from the current standard fare of country music?

Kimberly: I think what may set me apart is that I start every song with me and the guitar. Sometimes I think my music has more of an acoustic feel – but its got a modern twist. Not too twangy but it still sticks to the simple feel of country.

John: Well, you’ve got a beautiful voice. It makes the songs sound very personal. I also appreciate the fact that you don’t yell in your songs. There are some artists today who are screaming their lungs out by the end of the song. Why is that?

Kimberly: That’s funny. I think today’s society pressures people into believing you’re only a good singer if you can hit every note that’s belting. That’s never been my style. I feel like it doesn’t sound natural for me. It’s not how God made my voice. I just sing and don’t try to overdo it and be something I’m not.

John: I remember years ago hearing Johnny Mathis say that the biggest challenge in singing is not to “oversing” a song. That’s why I really appreciate your music. You don’t oversing and you sing to the right pitch. And your voice sounds like it’s meant to be part of the song.

Kimberly: Thank you. Thank you for noticing that.

John: What are some events you’ve performed at recently?

Kimberly: I perform a lot in my home town. There’s a restaurant here called Baxter’s country store by the lake a few minutes from my house. And that is one of my favorite places to sing because it’s out on a deck and it’s relaxed. So we play there. I’ve played in Nashville a couple of times and did some showcases there. We did the fair in North Carolina this summer. That was a lot of fun. I’ve done a lot of benefits different places. Just about anywhere I can get in or am needed.

John: How has faith played a role in your career?

Kimberly: It’s definitely played a big role because I’ve learned singing my whole life that there’s a lot of ups and downs. A lot of times you get your hopes up for nothing. When your sad over something and something didn’t go the way your wanted it to, you know that God still has a plan even though you can’t see it at that time.

John: What is the most incredible thing God has done for you in your career?

Kimberly: I’d have to say opening and closing doors because certain doors that you thought were going to lead somewhere they’ve just been shut. You’re confused at the time but there’s a reason later for it being closed. But definitely He’s opened the right doors when they’re meant to be – for me to meet people or going to Nashville. He’s definitely opened and closed the right doors is something I’ve learned.

John: What is your favorite scripture and how has it impacted your life?

Kimberly: Probably Jeremiah 29:11. It says ‘For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future’. So I think that really applies to life – anyone’s life.

John: What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your Christian faith?

Kimberly: Mostly to rely on God. Sometimes you can’t see the outcome or where it’s heading but to rely on God and not people or things.

John: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Kimberly: Hopefully still singing. I’d like to be doing as many shows as I can because that’s the most important thing to me. I don’t really care about winning an award – that would always be great – but to me singing is what I love to do and where it started. I’m happy just being able to travel around and doing what I love. And then the rest of it will come if it’s supposed to be.

John: What are the most important things in your life?

Kimberly: God. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Him. And then of course family. I love spending time with my family. And then singing. Whether I am on a stage or in a car by myself I never shutup.

John: Kimberly this has been a joy. I wish you well in the future and I’ll be praying for you. And you’re just a wonderful young talent. I know you’re going to go places. But most important of all you’re going to impact people’s lives through your music and doing what God wants you to do for Him.

Kimberly: Thank you so much for having me. Hopefully we can do it again soon.

Kimberly’s website is www.kimberlypatrickmusic.com.

You can also follow her on Facebook.